US10240728B2 - Multifunction portable utility light - Google Patents

Multifunction portable utility light Download PDF

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Publication number
US10240728B2
US10240728B2 US15/606,795 US201715606795A US10240728B2 US 10240728 B2 US10240728 B2 US 10240728B2 US 201715606795 A US201715606795 A US 201715606795A US 10240728 B2 US10240728 B2 US 10240728B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
light
receiver
portable utility
utility light
battery
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
US15/606,795
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English (en)
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US20180340660A1 (en
Inventor
Wei Xu
Yun Shin Lee
Daniel Howard Weckstein
Robert Ralph Armitage, JR.
Todd Jared Konet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ford Global Technologies LLC
Original Assignee
Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ford Global Technologies LLC filed Critical Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority to US15/606,795 priority Critical patent/US10240728B2/en
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC reassignment FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ARMITAGE, ROBERT RALPH, JR., LEE, YUN SHIN, WECKSTEIN, DANIEL HOWARD, XU, WEI, KONET, TODD JARED
Priority to DE202018102887.1U priority patent/DE202018102887U1/de
Priority to CN201820800305.4U priority patent/CN208469662U/zh
Publication of US20180340660A1 publication Critical patent/US20180340660A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US10240728B2 publication Critical patent/US10240728B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21L—LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION
    • F21L4/00—Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/30—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/30—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
    • B60Q1/302—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/30—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
    • B60Q3/35—Portable lighting devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic

Definitions

  • This document relates generally to the motor vehicle equipment field and, more particularly, to a portable utility light that may be carried on a closure such as a liftgate or tailgate of a motor vehicle and may also serve multiple functions.
  • This document relates to a new and improved portable utility light that is convenient to utilize and is adapted to serve multiple functions for the convenience and benefit of the motor vehicle operator.
  • an apparatus comprising a motor vehicle component including a receiver and a portable utility light releasably held in that receiver.
  • the portable utility light includes a housing, having a lens and an external reflector, and a light source held in that housing.
  • the apparatus may further include a power source held in that housing.
  • That power source may comprise a rechargeable battery
  • the apparatus may also include an activation switch between the battery and the light source.
  • the apparatus may include a lock securing the portable utility light in the receiver.
  • the apparatus may include a first battery charging connector carried on the motor vehicle component and a second battery charging connector carried on the housing.
  • the first battery charging connector is mated with the second battery charging connector to allow for charging the battery carried in the housing of the portable utility light.
  • the motor vehicle component is a closure of the motor vehicle.
  • the motor vehicle component may be a liftgate, tailgate or other door structure of a motor vehicle.
  • That liftgate may include a trim panel and the receiver may be provided in the trim panel.
  • the external reflector of the housing may be exposed along the trim panel when the portable light assembly is held in the receiver.
  • a motor vehicle is provided incorporating the apparatus as described.
  • a method comprises the steps of locating a receiver on a motor vehicle component, releasably securing a portable utility light in the receiver and configuring the utility light with a light source functioning as a dome light and a flashlight.
  • the method may include the step of orienting an external reflector on the portable utility light to be exposed when the portable utility light is secured in the receiver. Further, the method may include the step of powering the light source with a battery carried on the portable utility light.
  • the method may include the step of charging the battery when the portable utility light is secured in the receiver. Further, the method may include the step of configuring the light source with an actuation switch carried on the portable utility light.
  • the method may further include the step of positioning the receiver in the liftgate so that the external reflector is visible from behind the motor vehicle when the liftgate is opened.
  • the method may include activating the light source when the liftgate is opened.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus showing the portable utility light held in a receiver of the motor vehicle component.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing how the external reflector of the housing of the portable utility light is exposed and oriented to be visible from behind the motor vehicle when the liftgate is opened and thereby reflect headlight illumination from an approaching vehicle back toward the driver of the approaching vehicle.
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are schematic views illustrating how the portable utility light may be held in the receiver and used as a dome light or removed from the receiver and used as a flashlight.
  • the apparatus 10 includes a motor vehicle component 12 including a receiver 14 .
  • a portable utility light 16 is releasably held in the receiver 14 .
  • the portable utility light 16 includes a housing 18 having a lens 20 and an external reflector 22 .
  • the external reflector 22 comprises a dual injection molded component having a first section 24 that functions as a red reflector and a second section 26 that functions as milky white lens when the portable utility light 16 functions as a dome light for illuminating the storage area 28 of the motor vehicle 30 as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
  • the portable utility light 16 includes an internal cavity 32 within the housing 18 .
  • a rechargeable power source in the form of a battery 34 is carried within the internal cavity 32 .
  • the portable utility light 16 also includes a light source 36 held in the internal cavity 32 adjacent the clear forward lens 20 and the white lens 26 .
  • the light source 36 comprises two light emitting diodes (LEDs).
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • An activation switch 38 is wired between the power source 34 and the light source 36 .
  • the activation switch 38 may be utilized to turn the light source 36 on or off as desired.
  • the apparatus 10 also includes a lock 40 to releasably secure the portable utility light 16 in the receiver 14 .
  • That lock 40 may comprise any structure of a type known in the art known to be useful for this intended purpose.
  • the apparatus 10 also includes a battery charging feature, generally designated by reference numeral 42 .
  • That battery charging feature 42 includes a first battery charging connector 44 carried on the motor vehicle component 12 and a second battery charging connector 46 carried on the housing 18 .
  • the first battery charging connector 44 is mated with the second battery charging connector 46 to allow for charging of the battery 34 .
  • the battery 42 may be maintained in a fully charged state, ready to power the light source 36 for remote use whenever needed.
  • the motor vehicle component 12 is a liftgate and the receiver 14 is provided in the trim panel 48 of the liftgate.
  • the red reflector portion 24 of the housing is exposed and oriented so as to reflect the headlights of an oncoming vehicle back toward that vehicle driver.
  • the red reflector portion 24 of the portable utility light 16 serves a safety function by increasing the visibility of the motor vehicle when the liftgate/motor vehicle component 12 is opened.
  • the activation switch 38 may be utilized to turn the light source 36 on.
  • light L projects through the white lens 26 of the housing 18 down into the storage area 28 of the motor vehicle 30 providing useful light for an operator seeking to complete a task in the storage area in limited ambient light conditions.
  • the operator may release the lock 40 and slide (note action arrow A) or otherwise remove the portable utility light 16 from the receiver 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 b ).
  • the activation switch 38 may be utilized to turn the light source 36 on so that illumination or light L from the light source streams through the clear forward lens 20 allowing the portable utility light 16 to function as a flashlight.
  • a reflector 50 may be provided within the housing 18 to enhance the light directed through the front lens 20 and allow better lighting at the desired remote location such as the flat tire.
  • the portable utility light 16 may be reengaged with and locked in the receiver 14 , by means of the lock 40 .
  • the light source 36 may be turned off at any time using the activation switch 38 .
  • the battery charging feature 42 functions to maintain the rechargeable battery 34 within the housing 18 of the portable utility light 16 in a fully charged state so that it will be ready for the next time it is needed.
  • a method including the steps of locating a receiver 14 on a motor vehicle component 12 such as the trim panel 48 of a liftgate, releasably securing a portable utility light 16 in the receiver and configuring that portable utility light 16 with a light source 36 capable of functioning as a dome light and a flashlight.
  • the method may further include the step of orienting a reflector 22 on the portable utility light 16 to be exposed when the portable utility light is secured in the receiver 14 . More specifically, when the motor vehicle component 12 is a liftgate, the method may include positioning the receiver 14 in the liftgate so that the reflector 22 , and more particularly the red reflector portion 24 thereof, is visible from behind the motor vehicle when the liftgate is opened.
  • the method may also include the step of powering the light source 36 with a battery 34 carried inside the internal cavity 32 of the housing 18 of the portable utility light 16 . Further, the method may include the step of charging the battery 34 when the portable utility light 16 is secured within the receiver 14 . In addition, the method may include configuring the light source 36 with an activation switch 38 carried on the portable utility light 16 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
US15/606,795 2017-05-26 2017-05-26 Multifunction portable utility light Active US10240728B2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/606,795 US10240728B2 (en) 2017-05-26 2017-05-26 Multifunction portable utility light
DE202018102887.1U DE202018102887U1 (de) 2017-05-26 2018-05-23 Multifunktionale tragbare Nutzleuchte
CN201820800305.4U CN208469662U (zh) 2017-05-26 2018-05-25 用于车辆的装置和机动车辆

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/606,795 US10240728B2 (en) 2017-05-26 2017-05-26 Multifunction portable utility light

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20180340660A1 US20180340660A1 (en) 2018-11-29
US10240728B2 true US10240728B2 (en) 2019-03-26

Family

ID=62983086

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/606,795 Active US10240728B2 (en) 2017-05-26 2017-05-26 Multifunction portable utility light

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US10240728B2 (zh)
CN (1) CN208469662U (zh)
DE (1) DE202018102887U1 (zh)

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4823241A (en) 1987-09-21 1989-04-18 Harvey-Westbury Corp. Portable solar charged operated lamp having orientation switch for selectively energizing lamp based upon its physical orientation
US5521806A (en) 1994-03-16 1996-05-28 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle utility/emergency light assembly
US6286976B1 (en) * 2000-02-02 2001-09-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Dome light with removable emergency light module
DE10147288A1 (de) 2001-09-26 2003-07-03 Kastriot Merlaku Beleuchtung für den Fahrzeug-Kofferraum
US7090371B1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2006-08-15 George Bonar Removable headlamp for a vehicle
US7404372B2 (en) 2002-11-20 2008-07-29 Abeo, Llc Emergency signaling device
US7621662B1 (en) 2006-08-07 2009-11-24 Terry Thomas Colbert Device and system for emergency vehicle lighting
US20120262933A1 (en) 2011-04-13 2012-10-18 Volvo Car Corporation Storage compartment and warning lighting for a vehicle
US9441832B2 (en) 2010-03-02 2016-09-13 Glenn Bushee Compact lighting system with infrared indicator
US20170080854A1 (en) * 2015-09-22 2017-03-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Dome light assembly with integral removable lamp unit for use in emergencies
US20170088047A1 (en) * 2015-09-24 2017-03-30 Kambiz Parvaresh Vehicle emergency light beam systems
US20170234525A1 (en) * 2016-02-12 2017-08-17 Kyle Thomas Cate Safety light for law enforcement and road-side emergency

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4823241A (en) 1987-09-21 1989-04-18 Harvey-Westbury Corp. Portable solar charged operated lamp having orientation switch for selectively energizing lamp based upon its physical orientation
US5521806A (en) 1994-03-16 1996-05-28 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle utility/emergency light assembly
US6286976B1 (en) * 2000-02-02 2001-09-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Dome light with removable emergency light module
DE10147288A1 (de) 2001-09-26 2003-07-03 Kastriot Merlaku Beleuchtung für den Fahrzeug-Kofferraum
US7090371B1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2006-08-15 George Bonar Removable headlamp for a vehicle
US7404372B2 (en) 2002-11-20 2008-07-29 Abeo, Llc Emergency signaling device
US7621662B1 (en) 2006-08-07 2009-11-24 Terry Thomas Colbert Device and system for emergency vehicle lighting
US9441832B2 (en) 2010-03-02 2016-09-13 Glenn Bushee Compact lighting system with infrared indicator
US20120262933A1 (en) 2011-04-13 2012-10-18 Volvo Car Corporation Storage compartment and warning lighting for a vehicle
US20170080854A1 (en) * 2015-09-22 2017-03-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Dome light assembly with integral removable lamp unit for use in emergencies
US20170088047A1 (en) * 2015-09-24 2017-03-30 Kambiz Parvaresh Vehicle emergency light beam systems
US9862307B2 (en) * 2015-09-24 2018-01-09 Kambiz Parvaresh Vehicle emergency light beam systems
US20170234525A1 (en) * 2016-02-12 2017-08-17 Kyle Thomas Cate Safety light for law enforcement and road-side emergency

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
English Machine Translation of DE10147288A1.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE202018102887U1 (de) 2018-07-05
CN208469662U (zh) 2019-02-05
US20180340660A1 (en) 2018-11-29

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